4 July 2025. Michael Guerin, AgForce CEO.
All of us in agriculture know and recognise the strong link between food security and environmental sustainability.
But unfortunately this connection is not properly recognised in current policy settings or in the wider Australian discourse.
However, early indications from the newly re-elected Albanese Government show keen interest in taking on bold reform across productivity, environment, and food security.
This is pleasing, and something we should all embrace.
The reality is food and fibre production is currently a narrow margin, high cost and high-risk business in Australia - with many of the challenges imposed by what we colloquially call 'red and green tape'.
As global demand for food and fibre continues to grow, we continue to see examples of policy settings actively working against, rather than supporting food security and environmental sustainability. We need to learn from these rather than replicate them.
Look no further than our friends across the Tasman, where policy settings are encouraging large conversion of productive farming country to pine plantations. As one commentator said recently - 'you can't eat trees'.
Agriculture is the bedrock of food security in Australia and one of the most powerful tools we have to build and sustain natural capital.
AgForce is calling on the Albanese Government to recognise this.
To ensure reforms are as bold as what is required, industry must be at the table from the start of the conversation. Discussions must also be led by good science for this once in a generation opportunity for Australia to lead the world.
Short term obligations under international agreements should not be used to shortcut this process.
Reform needs to be fundamental and grounded to ensure a solid foundation and confidence for all parties, particularly the next generation coming through who are relying on what we do now to ensure a food secure future with environmental protections.
